He owns 39 accordions and made all of his 150 costumes by hand. While he was performing this month, Lima was issued a warning.

"Due to the recent strict enforcement of current ordinances, I am considered in violation of where I have performed for the past 10 years, even with written permission from the business owners," Lima's statement wrote.

"Rather than accept a hefty $300 ticket, or worse yet, spend a night in jail (in one of my costumes???) I will be quietly leaving the downtown scene. I will miss you all. The Great One has left the avenue," Lima wrote.

While he could continue playing his accordion a few feet farther away from business buildings without violating any city codes, Lima said he would not feel comfortable performing on the edge of a sidewalk.

"I'm having fun, making people smile, and making people laugh," he said of his accordion playing. But Lima does not want to make city officials' jobs more difficult by, "having to deal with a strangely-dressed accordion player," he said.

Santa Cruz has long been known for being weird, free-spirited, alternative, and accepting of odd characters.

Hours after Lima made his announcement, fans of The Great Morgani began writing letters to the Santa Cruz City Council and Mayor Lynn Robinson urging them to make an exception for the accordion player.

There is also a Facebook page named "I Love The Great Morgani!" where supporters are rallying together and debating the fairness of city street codes.

PHOTOS: The Great Morgani of Santa Cruz

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The Great Morgani has vanished from downtown Santa Cruz, along with his accordion music, after he went into self-imposed exile this week.